Politifact Virginia: Healthcare reform claims scrutinized

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Republicans across Virginia applauded this week's ruling by a federal judge that a portion of the health care reform law was unconstitutional. But did their claims about the law go a bit too far?

Congressman-elect Robert Hurt out of Virginia's 5th District spent a lot of time on the campaign trail criticizing the health care reform law. So it was not a surprise when he released a statement congratulating Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli on his win in federal court.

Among other things, Hurt said: "I look forward to working to repeal and defund the government takeover of health care in the 112th Congress."

But is this reform plan a "government takeover" of health care?

According to the reporters at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, this claim is "false." While the health care reform law does "expand" the government's role in medicine, it is a far cry from a take over.

In fact the congressional budget office predicts that 16 million people will be added to Medicaid.

That is a lot, but keep in mind there is already 60 million people on Medicaid and there are more than 300 million people in the United States.

According to reporter Wes Hester, that is not quite a "government take over."

"It certainly will expand the government's reach into healthcare, specifically Medicaid will grow under this. But the government's not running the health insurance system," Hester said.

And you can read all the research behind this week's Politifact Virginia report on their website www.PolitifactVirginia.com and in this weekend's Richmond Times-Dispatch.